Success! San from Thailand raised $1,500 to fund a hysterectomy.

Following a successful surgery, San no longer experiences pain and urinary dysfunction. When San is fully recovered, she would like to visit her family in Burma, and her daughter will return to work. She is very pleased that her family did not need to borrow money, and San tells us that she is so grateful to have received this treatment.

Following a successful surgery, San no longer experiences pain and urinary dysfunction. When San is fully recovered, she would like to visit...

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April 4, 2017

San is a 63-year-old woman who has an uncomfortable gynecological condition and was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), our medical partner. She is originally from Burma but moved to Thailand after her husband passed away. She has seven children.

Two years ago, San started to feel tightness around her lower abdomen. She began to experience troubling gynecological and urinary symptoms. At our medical partner’s clinic, she was given oral medication and sent to the hospital for some investigative testing. Our medical partner’s doctors concluded that she needs to have surgery.

In the last few weeks, San has been experiencing bleeding and pain. She cannot walk long distances or sit for too long. Fortunately, on April 6, San will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Our medical partner, BCMF, is requesting $1,500 to fund her treatment.

San is a 63-year-old woman who has an uncomfortable gynecological condition and was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), our medi...

San's Timeline

San received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience a sensation of heaviness in the pelvis, tissue protrusion from a sensitive area, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and lower back pain.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Patients may experience intermittent pain in the abdomen and spotting. If the pain becomes debilitating and chronic, patients may be unable to participate in daily life. It may be difficult for women to care for their families, complete household tasks, and work.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Because of the sensitive nature of gynecological conditions, patients may delay seeking care. Many patients do not have the means to travel or pay for surgery or are not able to take time away from their family and work to seek treatment.

Process

Impact on patient's life

Risks and side-effects

Accessibility

Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient undergoes blood testing and an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis. If the patient does not have any other medical conditions, surgery can be performed quickly. If the patient has another health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, its symptoms must be managed before surgery. A patient usually spends about 4-5 days in the hospital.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment can completely change a patient’s life. After the surgery, the patient will see her condition and symptoms improve. Pain, fatigue, menstruation abnormalities, and urinary dysfunction will be alleviated.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Side effects can include fever, infection, heavy bleeding during or after surgery, injury to the urinary tract or nearby organs, blood clots, problems related to anesthesia, and death.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Although this type of treatment is available in most of Burma, patients cannot access care because of the high cost of surgery.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are not many alternatives, especially for women who are older. Doctors will suggest this treatment to reduce the chance of recurrence of masses/cysts/myoma.
Some women opt to treat the symptoms with pain medicine or traditional medicine. Ultimately, however, mass removal or a hysterectomy are the only options to resolve the condition and improve the symptoms.